'Nine Last Days on Planet Earth' by Daryl Gregory is a science fiction novelette that explores the concept of an alien invasion through the lens of alien plant species. The story follows the life of the protagonist, LT, from childhood to old age, as he witnesses the gradual takeover of Earth by these invasive plants. The narrative spans different points in time, offering vignettes that piece together a story of adaptation, evolution, and personal experiences in the face of the perplexing and unexplainable events caused by the alien invasion. The writing style is described as moving, touching, and unique, focusing on humanity's response to the unknown and the changes brought about by the alien plants.

Characters:

The characters, particularly LT, are well-developed and provide a relatable viewpoint, showcasing personal growth and the impact of ecological changes.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style effectively intertwines personal and ecological narratives, employing metaphors and a concise prose that enhances thematic exploration.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features an episodic narrative following LT's life from childhood to old age against the backdrop of an alien plant invasion, showcasing the passage of time and its ecological ramifications.

Setting:

The setting transitions from the 1970s to a future Earth transformed by an alien invasion, focusing on both personal and global changes.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slowly but accelerates as the story unfolds, effectively capturing significant life moments in a compact structure.

You have to see this, she said. He didn’t want to leave the bed but she was an intense woman who could beam energy into him with a look. She took his hand and led him between the stacks of moving boxe...

Notes:

The story spans from 1975 to 2062 and covers nine key moments in the protagonist LT's life.

It opens with LT observing a massive meteor shower that turns out to be seeds from alien plants.

LT grows from a 10-year-old boy to a 97-year-old great-grandfather throughout the narrative.

The main theme is about the passage of time and ecological changes over decades.

The narrative avoids excessive detail about time and setting while focusing on personal relationships and ecological impacts.

The alien plants have a dual nature; some harm humanity while others are harmless or beneficial.

LT is depicted as a complex character who navigates personal growth and changing relationships with the alien flora.

The novella emphasizes adaptation and evolution in the face of unknown challenges and changes.

The invasion isn't portrayed as destructive; rather, it shows how life adapts and finds new ways to survive.

It has positive and wholesome representation of queer relationships within the character's personal growth.

Has Romance?

The story includes elements of romance, particularly in the development of the main character's personal relationships.

From The Publisher:

When the seeds rained down from deep space, it may have been the first stage of an alien invasion-or something else entirely. How much time do we have left, and do we even understand what timescale to use? As a slow apocalypse blooms across the Earth, planets and plants, animals and microbes, all live and die and evolve at different scales. Is one human life long enough to unravel the mystery?

Nine Last Days on Planet Earth is a Tor.com Original from the award-winning science fiction author Daryl Gregory.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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About the Author:

Daryl Gregory writes genre-mixing novels, stories, and comics. His novel Spoonbenders was published in 2017. Other work includes the young adult novel Harrison Squared and the novella We Are All Completely Fine, which won the World Fantasy and Shirley Jackson awards, and was a finalist for the Nebula, Sturgeon, and Locus awards. His novels include Afterparty, an NPR and Kirkus best fiction book of 2014; Raising Stony Mayhall; The Devil's Alphabet; and the Crawford-Award-winning Pandemonium. Many of his short stories are collected in Unpossible and Other Stories.

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